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STORM

Best Dally M chance: Cameron Smith ($1.08)

It’s been suggested Smith has produced the best individual season in NRL history. A stirring Origin win with Queensland aside, the Storm skipper has been head and shoulders above the competition in 2017. And the fact Melbourne lost just four games all year bodes well for their stars featuring highly in the count.

The reigning medallist had produced a season arguably on par with his 2016 campaign. He averages 198 running metres — the best in the competition — and has produced 120 tackle busts and 30 offloads. Taumalolo is a big reason the Cowboys are in the grand final. But finals games don’t count when it comes to Dally M counting.

Last Dally M winner: Jason Taumalolo (2016)

Team of the Year contenders: Jason Taumalolo (lock), Michael Morgan (five-eighth/halfback)

ROOSTERS

Best Dally M chance: Mitchell Pearce ($13)

It’s been a good year for the Roosters halfback, who bounced back from a shocker 2016 to hit career-best form on the field. That was rewarded with a recall to the NSW side, where unfortunately he failed to get the chocolates for the Blues. But at club level Pearce was the linchpin for the Chooks, who fell one game short of a grand final. He broke his field goal drought and ended up kicking three for the year.

Hunt and backrower Matt Gillett are the only two Broncos to feature in the market, and they’re both at long odds to take home the medal. Hunt is up there despite the fact he was dropped to reserve grade midway through the season and was struggling to find form with halves partner Anthony Milford.

His halves partnership with mid-season recruit Mitchell Moses turned Parramatta into a genuine premiership threat, only to fail come finals time. It was probably Norman’s best season in the NRL and his case will be strong for an Origin call-up when Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston pass the baton. He’s a strong chance to finish in the top 10 vote getters and could even snare the five-eighth of the year award.

The inspirational captain is the workhorse that just won’t lie down. The oldest player in the competition averages 173 running metres in 2017 and makes 30.6 tackles every week, as well as producing the fourth most offloads in the competition. He had accrued 14 votes by round 14 — six behind the leader Smith at the time.

Last Dally M winner: Preston Campbell (2001)

Team of the Year contenders: Paul Gallen (prop), James Maloney (five-eighth), Wade Graham (backrow)

PANTHERS

Best Dally M chance: Nathan Cleary ($151)

It’s been an outstanding season for the teenager in his second year of first grade footy. With captain Matt Moylan missing for chunks of the season, Cleary has taken control of a Penrith side filled with raw young talent. His poise and control under pressure is that of a man 200 games more experienced than he is. A genuine contender for halfback of the year.

Last Dally M winner: Greg Alexander (1985)

Team of the Year contenders: Nathan Cleary (halfback), Matt Moylan (five-eighth)

SEA EAGLES

Best Dally M chance: Daly Cherry-Evans ($11)

The captain will be punching it out with Nathan Cleary and possibly Michael Morgan for halfback of the year honours. He sits behind Gareth Widdop in the market but DCE could easily finish second in the count behind the winner Smith. His form was scintillating at times during 2017 and he was the reason behind the club’s finals charge. His Origin exile surely won’t last long if he continues this form into 2018.

Let’s face it, none of the Gold Coast roster are going to feature highly in the count. The Titans won just seven games and none of their players had great individual seasons. Taylor and Tyrone Roberts can hold their heads high, but aside from them the team as a whole was disappointing.

Last Dally M winner: NA

Team of the Year contenders: Ryan James (backrow, prop)

BULLDOGS

Best Dally M chance: Will Hopoate

Canterbury’s attack was abysmal this year but Hopoate was a shining light in an otherwise gloomy 2017. He came into his own with a permanent shift to fullback and his kick returns with ball in hand were a highlight. Still, Canterbury didn’t play well enough consistently enough for any Bulldogs players to attract many votes.

Last Dally M winner: Ben Barba (2012)

Team of the Year contenders: Will Hopoate (fullback), David Klemmer (prop)

TIGERS

Best Dally M chance: James Tedesco ($81)

He was voted the best player of the season by his peers at the RLPA awards. While that may have come as a shock to most, there’s no doubting Tedesco is among the absolute cream of the competition. He trumped Cameron Smith for the award but would need to pull something miraculous out of his hat to do the same on Wednesday night. Wests Tigers haven’t won enough games for Tedesco to be considered a genuine threat.

Last Dally M winner: NA

Team of the Year contenders: James Tedesco (fullback)

James Tedesco shows off his RLPA award.Source: News Corp Australia

RAIDERS

Best Dally M chance: Jordan Rapana

The flying winger scored 21 tries this year and was one of Canberra’s best players in what was an underwhelming season. His 27 linebreaks is the second best in the competition behind Josh Addo-Carr.

Last Dally M winner: Laurie Daley (1995)

Team of the Year contenders: Jordan Rapana (wing), Junior Paulo (prop)

KNIGHTS

Best Dally M chance: Dane Gagai

Mitchell Barnett won the club’s best and fairest award but he’s unlikely to poll a vote in the count. Gagai and Nathan Ross are probably the two most noticeable men in blue and red. Ross missed a chunk of games with a back injury, and Gagai probably didn’t have his best season at club level.

Last Dally M winner: Danny Buderus (2004)

Team of the Year contenders: Dane Gagai (centre)

RABBITOHS

Best Dally M chance: Sam Burgess

He was coming off a so-so 2016 campaign but Burgess was courageous this year for the struggling Bunnies. He averaged 123 running metres and produced 34 offloads for the year.

Last Dally M winner: Robert Laurie (1980)

Team of the Year contenders: Sam Burgess (backrow), Angus Crichton (backrow)

DRAGONS

Best Dally M chance: Gareth Widdop ($9)

He was easily St George Illawarra’s best player in 2017 and almost took the club to finals, only to fall at the final hurdle. Widdop was let off the leash by coach Paul McGregor and it allowed his attacking game to flourish. The Red V’s stunning winning run earlier in the season was on the back of Widdop’s newfound flare.

Last Dally M winner: Trent Barrett (2000)

Team of the Year contenders: Paul Vaughan (prop), Gareth Widdop (five-eighth)

WARRIORS

Best Dally M chance: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($29)

A dismal season from the club across the ditch means none of their players are likely to feature highly in the medal count. But their young captain was consistently their best player week in, week out as his teammates failed around him. His best chance of winning the fullback of the year gong is to sneak home over the likes of Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, and James Tedesco.